Created by Microsoft and Marimba, OSD is an XML-based specification designed to help automate Internet-based software distribution and lower the cost of PC ownership OSD uses unique XML tags to describe software components, including versions, underlying structure, relationships to other components, and dependencies
An XML vocabulary used to describe software components, software versions, and the underlying structure of software packages and their components for delivery over a network OSD can work in conjunction with Channel Definition Format (CDF) to update software over the Internet or over an intranet